National Veterans Creative Arts Competition: 2022 winners, 2023 submissions
Two Veterans who receive care at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center (VAMC) placed first and third at the National Veterans Creative Arts (NVCA) competition in April.
The NVCA program is a competition that reinforces creative arts as a form of rehabilitative treatment to assist Veterans recover from physical and emotional disabilities.
Each year, local Veterans participate in the NVCA program, which is sponsored through VA and the American Legion Auxiliary. The Cincinnati competition and show was held on August 31, 2022, and featured the artwork of 10 Veterans.
Mark Ferry, a U.S. Navy Veteran and resident at the Cincinnati VAMC Community Living Center, won first place in the pottery category at the local competition for his glazed ceramic vase, Fiery Vase. Ferry went on to win third place at the national level, receiving a bronze medal and certificate.
J. Russell Nelson, a U.S. Army Veteran and self-taught painter, placed first in the acrylic painting category at the local competition with his painting, The Measure of a Man. Nelson’s piece also placed first at the national level and he was invited to attend a week-long creative arts festival in St. Louis. In addition to being invited to the festival, Nelson’s painting was displayed at Soldiers Memorial Hall in St. Louis throughout April. On May 30, Nelson was presented a gold medal and certificate by Cincinnati VAMC leaders, then donated his winning painting to the Cincinnati VAMC Veterans Service Office.
“Both of the winners are very talented individuals,” said Deanna Black, CVAMC Recreation Therapist. “They use their art and the competition as a way to express their personalities and as a creative outlet to overcome life obstacles.”
This year’s local competition is accepting submissions through Aug. 18. The competition features five divisions for submissions: art, dance, creative writing, music, and drama. All Veterans enrolled for care at the Cincinnati VAMC may participate. For more information, visit National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - National Veterans Sports Programs or contact Black at Deanna.Black@va.gov or 513-861-3100 ext. 204984.